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「砦」 (Toride)
“The Stronghold”
Wow- I feel like that episode went by so fast. We get the A and B parts split between Mao Mao and Jinshi, taking us closer to the heart of the mysteries.
The surprise encounter with Lady Shenmei didn’t end as badly as I had expected (though we got pretty close to it, with Shenmei almost ordering 100 whacks on Mao Mao). Miraculously, Kyou-u comes out unscathed too- I was worried there for a second, when Shenmei noticed him. Thankfully, Loulan intervenes with some quick thinking and skillful acting, with the whole bit about Mao Mao being a 30 year old apothecary capable of creating a fountain of youth. Of course, that’s only a temporary stop gap measure, seeing as how they’ll execute her once it becomes clear she can’t make something that doesn’t exist. Mao Mao could theoretically make a fake potion that she claims to be an immortality drink- it’s not like anyone would know the difference anyway. I also wonder if she could make a slow acting poison and give it to her as an immortality potion. Given that Shenmei’s the head of this deadly operation, if she offed her, surely the rest of it would fall apart and Mao Mao could escape in the ensuing chaos.
Shenmei is a lot to take. She’s a cruel, frightening woman, abusing the people around her, masterminding a large scale rebellion that puts everyone’s life in danger. On top of wanting eternal youth- yikes. This does pose the question of whether Shishou is also masterminding this alongside his wife, or if it’s his wife who holds all the power and he’s merely following along out of terror of the woman. We get the full back story on Shisui (actually Loulan- but no surprise there) and Suirei- both sisters from a different mother (also no surprise given the massive hints dropped the past few episodes). Apparently Shishou was adopted into the family as Shenmei’s fiancé, then found another wife when Shenmei was sent to the rear palace. Shenmei is pretty much the textbook evil mother figure here- driving out his first wife and child, then treating that daughter as a servant and pawn. Will Suirei get a Cinderella moment here too?
Loulan for her part is raised as a puppet in order to protect herself from her mother’s wrath. It explains why Loulan was able to hide both of her identities so well in the palace. Of Loulan’s double identity- concubine and maid- which one is closer to her true self? Or perhaps neither? It’s probably doesn’t matter in the long run (or maybe short run? Her inevitable fate is going to be the chopping block once the rebellion is quelled), but is interesting to ponder. It’s unfair that two brilliant, talented women are essentially condemned to death by their mother, though in Shenmei’s mind, there’s no way that she’ll lose. And even if she thought she could lose, I doubt she’d care about their fate anyone, given she only cares for herself. Again, textbook mother villain here.
In the B part, we cut to the inner palace where Lahan uncovers the site of the rebellion- the northern fortress, the same one Mao Mao was taken to. Which, of course means Mao Mao being transferred there will turn out to be a massive stroke of luck for her. I’m not sure how many days have passed here since Mao Mao’s kidnapping. We also have no word on Gyokuyou’s birthing which was happening concurrently (not to digress or anything). Lakan finally ran out of patience and comes storming in, with a lot of strong words for Jinshi.
Yeah, Lakan could have phrased things better, but he is absolutely right about Jinshi being half-assed and lacking confidence. Jinshi certainly needs a fire lit under his ass- he can’t avoid responsibility, pretending to be a eunuch the whole time. If kidnapping his beloved wasn’t enough to make him take the bull by the horns, then rebellion against his kingdom certainly should be.
Lahan proved his worth here- not only does he have his adopted father’s brain in sleuthing, he possesses the tact Lakan lacks. Summoning Luomen was a wise move to- Basan was this close to punching Lakan’s lights out. Luomen diffuses the situation, like a window opened in a dark, dank room. Luomen really is the star here, bringing such grace and diplomacy with him, getting Lakan to -gasp- bow to Jinshi/the Moon Prince. “Lakan-tamer”- that’s something worthy to go on his resume. This also stands out as the first meeting between the three men in Mao Mao’s life, which turns into more of an encounter between Luomen and Lakan, with Jinshi stuck in between. Jinshi/the Moon Prince won’t be staying in the shadows for much longer, I suspect.
Preview
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What an episode, from Suirei taking all the backhand from Shenmei. To find out why Shenmei is so spiteful, Lakan requests a call to arms from Jinshi and finally we find out Lakan’s Kryptonite is Luomen.
For the elusive fountain of Youth, many dictators predating all of us have been sold a cure-all or an ultimate elixir by those the dictators deemed trustworthy.
The funny thing about the Fountain of Youth is that I remember my father telling me some folklore about our motherland (China), dispatching many people to an island to collect a tea leaf that provides eternal life. The people who were sent over eventually found said tea leaf but decided to claim the land as their own. (Japan) At best, it’s just a fairy tale, and at worst, it’s propaganda by my motherland.
It is perfectly normal for Shenmei to be cruel; she is only human. Anyone would become cruel like Shenmei when they were betrayed by their spouse, especially in an era when marriage with a politician was important.